The Sunrise News Sampler

Today, municipal elections will be held in several Alabama cities, including Tuscaloosa, where voters will cast ballots for City Board of Education Chair, seats on the City Board of Education, and City Council members for Districts 1, 6, and 7. Voters unsure about their polling places should visit www.AlabamaVotes.gov. \

State officials say the amount of money spent hiring public defenders for people who can't afford legal representation has dropped over time. While about $65 million was spent in 2011, the state plans to spend only about $46 million this year.

Today the Obama administration is expected to make a more formal declaration after Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday that there is "undeniable" evidence of chemical weapons use by Syria.

Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate Plus 8 fame, has filed a lawsuit accusing her ex-husband of stealing her hard drive and hacking into her phone and computer to get material for a tell-all book, according to MSN.

Last night, the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education created three new jobs and approved the first drafts of three additional job descriptions.

The utility regulatory board has scheduled three public meetings for September 5, 25, and October 9 to discuss the rates of Alabama Gas.

A judge ruled yesterday that New Mexico's constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. So, the clerk of the state's largest county is expected to start issuing licenses for gay couples today. Two other counties are already issuing the licenses.

Latino superstar Ricky Martin told Austrailian GQ that he was homophobic as he struggled to deal with his own sexuality and even bullied gay people. Martin is now an outspoken advocate of gay rights around the world.